U4 Quad Hybrid Android TV Box Unboxing and Teardown with DVB-T2, DVB-S2 and ATSC Tune

[dizzdizzy]

Thanks to the permission of the moderators to create this thread and introduce our box to the forum. We are the developer and manufacturer of the box to be reviewed. It comes after months of continuous hardware and software effort. We would be pleased if it is accepted by the forum members.

There are so many of the Android players in the market, most of them do not have a tuner support. We therefore developed the box to give all the reception possibility to have just one-box-for-all in the living room.

Here is a list of the hardware specifications:

• SoC – Hisilicon Hi3796M quad core Cortex A7 processor with a Mali-450MP GPU
• System Memory – 1GB DDR3-1600 MHz
• Storage – 8GB internal storage and micro SD slot
• Video Output – HDMI 1.4a up to 4K @ 30Hz + AV port (CBVS)
• Audio Output – HDMI, AV and coaxial S/PDIF (optical S/PDIF available as an option)
• Video Decoding – Up to 4K @ 30 fps for H.265, H.264, MPEG-4, AVS, VC-1, VP6/8, etc.. Full HD 3D video (MVC) and blu-ray navigation supported
• Tuners (one or the other)
o DVB-S2 – Hi3136 demodulator; freq range: 950 to 2,150 MHz; symbol rate: DVB-S: 1~55 Mbps; DVB-S2: 1~44 Mbps; Input level: -65 to -25 dBm
o DVB-T2/T/C – AVL6762 demodulator; freq range: 43 to 1,002 MHz; bandwidth: 6/7/8/1.7 MHz; signal level: -80 to -25 dBm
o ATSC – LG 3306A demodulator; freq rage: 52 to 860 MHz; mode: 8/16 VSB | IT-T J83 Annex B; input level: -86 dBm to +10 dBm (Optional to DVB-T2/T/C tuner)
o ANT IN and LNB IN connectors
• Connectivity – 10/100M Ethernet, built-in WiFi
• USB – 1x USB 3.0 host port, 1x USB 2.0 host port
• Misc – 2x LED, IR/LED connector (looks like mini USB)
• Power Supply – 12V/1.5A
• Dimensions – 135 x 135 x 33 mm



Hardware review:

The reason Hisilicon is chosen over Amlogic is due to the video quality primarily. We want to have a box to display good image in the first place.

The way the hardware is designed allows users to choose the best combination of tuner options preferred, DVB-S2+T2/T/Cable, DVB-S2/ATSC or DVB-S2 twin tuner. Both of the tuners could be used simultaneously, in other words, you could watch channel on one tuner and record on the other.

It is a bit pity with only 1GB ddr RAM. There could be problems with some RAM-Eating games or applications making the box slow. But overall, the box does what it should with reasonable speed and stability

The board called W96M_MAIN VO.4 feature the HiSilicon processor with a heatsink, an 8GB FORESEE NFEFEH68-08G eMMC flash, two SKhynix H5TQ4G63AFR DDR3 chips (2x 512MB), and Realtek RTL8188ETV Wifi module.


If we zoom in on the tuner area, we can see AVL6762TA DVB-T2/T/C demodulator, and on the main board itself and located on the bottom right of the picture above, Hisilicon Hi3136 is the DVB-S2/S demodulator.


There’s also two LEDs, an IR receiver, and a 4-digit LED panel on the front of the board.


There’s basically nothing on the bottom of the board, except S1 switch which should be the firmware recovery button.


Software review:

The software is based on Android 4.4.2 which is a little out-of-date. The delay was due to the intensive coding to create an integrated UI style that caters for both traditional DVB and Media player users together with some handy functions.

The main menu is more traditionally DVB feeling. A shortcut to Android applications is there.


The DVB menu is easy to use and comprehensive. Recording and time shift are smooth.


All the basic Android applications are pre-installed, for example, Netflix, Kodi, Explorer, Skype and IPTV apps


The box supports TVheadEnd. If the box is put to standby, channels coming through tuners could be watched with a smart phone, pad or computer through Kodi. You can zap on the other device and even initiate a recording. Of course, both devices have to be in the same router. It is also possible to watch the box when you are away from it. Though the port forwarding settings are a bit complicated.

Some other functions add up to the value including:
-One-click screen grab
-1080p User interface
-Recovery button: Hold reset button to recover a bricked box
-Software update over the network
-Web interface to modify channel list, IPTV links and more
-Recording TV channels to NAS (Network attached storage)

If any body is interested in the box and wants to get one, please go to the thread in the BuySell and Trade .

[dizzdizzy]

Latest update of firmware on Feb 17th,2016 could support both Android phone and iPhone with TVHeadEnd. Applications are available in both Google Play and Apple Store.

[ol' boy]

I will add some pictures of the U4 Android DVB-S2/DVB-T unit here, and follow up with a review in a separate thread
This is as delivered, so it should be exactly as you would receive one.

Retail Package

[ol' boy]

Rear of U4 Android Box



Side of U4 Android Box



Reset button

[ol' boy]

Contents

[ol' boy]

First Impressions:

WOW!!!!!
After only a day with the box, i am more than impressed
Seriously, i did not hold much hope it could do what it claimed, but it does it with ease.
We have all lost count of products that make claims, then we can't seem to make preform as advertised.
This is NOT one of those.

This will end up being a very long review, purely because the box has so many capabilities
So, i will try and review it in sections.

What i will say in this section is:
You can throw away your DM800 or Vu+*
You can throw away your WDTV or M8
You can throw away your HDTV Terrestrial Set Top Box
You can throw away your PVR

This one box will do all of the above in one neat small unit
* If you run a Smart Card, this unit has no Smart Card Reader or CAM Slot

Those that know me, now how picky i can be, so i will be trying to make this unit fail
Otherwise, what is the point of a review.

The OEM Remote Control

Might be small thing, but i hate nothing more than a laggy poor preforming RC.
The Remote that comes with the U4 is brilliant
No Lag
Can be used from long range at any angle
Feels nice
Has all the buttons you need for general use
And best of all, they all work as they should
No "double comment" problems, it just works like a good remote
As a bonus, it is a Learning Remote, so you can program in your TV's basic functions
Tick.

Point of Interest

If you do not wish to read on, i'll try and be brief here
You could use this unit purely as a HDTV (MPEG4 capable) DVB-T set top box for an older TV and just leave it at that.
It is that easy to use
(other Android units i've seen, you had to kick off an App to watch TV, not with this, every time you turn it on it just plays the last channel you were watching)
In that respect, its more chip driven than software/app driven (if you know what i'm saying)
It operates just like store bought HDTV Set Top Box, no lagging, fast channel change, great EPG... done.

You could also use this box as Sat Receiver, and just leave it there
Do nothing more, just watch Sat TV all day long and be a happy chappy

For the price point, i think that is great value
Especially considering it works smoothly and zaps fast.

Another simple and often over looked issue, is LED on the front of units like these
(my pet hate!, especially when they illuminate your bedroom when on Standby or ON)
The U4 has a very dull green LED, its tiny, it will never be an issues.
The front also displays the channel you are on in a very faint display.
Once again, it is never going to be an issue in a bedroom or alike.

Unit is totally silent!
And runs cool

[mtv]

Review moved here.

Keep it all together.

[ol' boy]

Initial Set Up

After plugging in DVB-S2, DVB-T, HDMI, LAN and Power
Turned the unit on
And set-up was a breeze, seriously easy!
Had everything set up and scanned in 10 minutes tops and was Watching TV
Unit comes pre installed with Australian Sats and Terrestrial regions.
Next thing i noticed was how silky smooth the OSD was and use of the Remote Control
(probably the best Android Experience i've had to date, with firmware written specifically for the box)

DVB-T Scanning

[ol' boy]

DVB-S2 Scanning

As easy as any Sat box i have ever used, probably the easiest.
Pics will explain more.
Unit also a Fast Blind Scan, which i used, because i'm lazy

[ol' boy]

Screen Resolution



And that was Set Up Complete for the most part
Off and watching TV

[ol' boy]

TV Channels

All the TV channels are stored into one long list
Both DVB-S2 and DVB-T are found in the one place (TV Services)

The OK button opens the TV Services Menu, from there you navigate up or down the list of channels
Or you just selected the channel number you want
You can also select channels to be the Favourites List.

Zapping is fast
HD channels suffer a small buffer for about 1.5 seconds when loaded, then it plays perfectly.
You can access EPG and INFO with the remote buttons

9HD running as if it was any TV in the house.







Program Guide



Home Screen



Satellite TV







The unit has soft-cams included if you know what to do with them.

[ol' boy]

So at this point in the Review, you might be happy to just leave it there.
You now have a solution for your older non MPEG-4 TV
And you have a Single Tuner DVB-T and DVB-S2 with PVR function

Its also great to have everything in one box, with one remote and the TV left on the one input setting
I think, for the price, its already punching above its weight.

But, look further and you have everything an M8 Android Box has, only it works a lot smoother.
By that i mean, some of the functions are simply build into the Home Screen with the default firmware.

LAN file playing for example, just select File Manager and away you go
Play a file locally or over the LAN



The unit played all files i threw at it
It never locked up while playing or chugged etc
(everything was played over a cable LAN)

I did however make the unit freeze once, when 4X forwarding a 1080p Movie over LAN
Unit needed to be power cycled to recover.

[ol' boy]

Pre Installed Apps

The unit comes with a selection of Pre Installed Apps
Kodi / Netflix / YouTube etc
Playstore is also loaded and works just fine.



Kodi Pre Installed





I think we all know what Kodi can do here, its been covered in many threads

YouTube

Might seem simple enough, but i found the YouTube user experience on the U4 to be very good
Better than on my M8 by a long short
It's just smoother, navigation is better, screen size when playing is perfect (full size)

[ol' boy]

More functions to be covered, like PVR and Recording Sat TV while watching Terrestrial TV
But for today, i'm done.

If you have any questions, fire away.

As said before, i'm a fussy person, and really expected this unit fail to deliver at the End User (Wife or Child) experience
But its been a walk in the park.

It is logical, there are no long drawn out menus to get things done
In fact, all the main tasks are just buttons on the remote
You only need dig into the OSD if your looking to do something more complicated.

Been watching 9HD all afternoon on my Samsung Series 6, and i cant tell it's not the Samsung Built in Tuner, just looks the same.

What will be new to a lot of us, is Android as an Operating System for a Sat Box
We've all been so used to Linux and Enigma2, but i can not fault Android yet
I'm sure the Quad Core Processor has a bit to do with it, as tasks i am used to doing on a Linux Sat Box and just handled so much faster and smoother on the U4.

Boots so much faster!
Runs cooler
Zapping is quicker
Scans fast
And integrates with all the Android goodies seamlessly

[OSIRUS]

Seems there are more than one of these boxes to choose from ..... (at )

which one did you purchase OB ?


1.Android with DVB-S2+DVB-T2/T/C

2.Android with DVB-S2+ATSC

@ about US $106.69 ?

or other .....

Cheers

[ol' boy]

I purchased the unit mentioned in this thread
Links are in the first post.

Its also in in the BST section here:
Or the Ali Express page here:

Gawd, imagine if spook was answering your questions, you'd get some vague photo of a dark box on a bench and be told he got it off Alibaba

Sorry OSIRUS, i just re read you question correctly.

U4 Quad Hybrid with DVB-T and DVB-S2

The exact unit is this one:

[ol' boy]

User Interface from your laptop or portable device

How cool is this, just like with our E2 machines
You can also stream what ever channel is playing on the U4 Quad Hybrid to you laptop or tablet/phone.

[ol' boy]

Sorry, its made it a very long thread with the Teardown and Unboxing being merged in with the Review
Hopefully people aren't still looking for the review i said i'd post in another thread as this one is labeled Unboxing and Teardown.

[allover]

Oceanboy, great review. Also those with a projector who need a tuner, this could be a cheap improvement offering a lot more than would be expected

[ol' boy]

Oceanboy, great review. Also those with a projector who need a tuner, this could be a cheap improvement offering a lot more than would be expected

Great suggestion allover, i hadn't even considered that yet.
And now that you have, looks like i'll need another unit.. Doh

If you had a set up in a bedroom or lounge that had a Sat Box plus a Media Box (WDTV or M8)
Just being able to remove 1 box and remote and power adapter is a great plus, it really cleans things up and frees up power points.
Not to mention the U4 Quad Hybrid can be completely hidden out of sight when you use a WiFi Remote.